Stan

About

Stan is a single player action game with a horror theme. It was developed by gusjewell and was released on December 17, 2024. It received neutral reviews from players.

In Stan, you play as J.W. Eel Slug, a piano player who just got a midnight deadline from a record label. Your goal is to correctly record piano in time with 10 pieces of music, while dealing with the demands of a psycho-fan. Controls: The Q through P row controls the black piano keys, while the A through Semicolon row controls the white piano keys. E or Left click to interact with objects.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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53%

Audience ScoreBased on 15 reviews

music3 negative mentions

The game features an intriguing concept that blends psychological horror with the pressure of meeting a creative deadline.
Jump scares are effective and heighten the sense of danger, contributing to a genuinely spooky atmosphere.
The creepy fan interaction adds an unsettling layer to the gameplay, enhancing the overall tension.

Controls are unclear and difficult to grasp, which detracts from the immersion and pacing of the game.
Piano mechanics are challenging for many players, making it hard to progress in the music section.
The game feels more like a 'proof of concept' than a finished product, with glitches and pacing issues that hinder the experience.

music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The music aspect of the game is a polarizing feature, with players finding the piano mechanics both central to gameplay and challenging, particularly for those lacking recent musical experience. While the eerie atmosphere is enhanced by the incorporation of "stan's" notes, which heighten anxiety during music composition, many users express frustration with the music puzzles, leading to boredom and difficulty in progressing. Overall, the music adds depth to the game but may alienate players unfamiliar with reading music.
- “The reference to 'Stan' in your reviews, which seems to allude to the famous Eminem song 'Stan,' adds an interesting layer to the game.”
- “I tapped on the piano for 5 minutes; apparently that produced one sheet of music, and I got bored and quit.”
- “The creepy atmosphere is ramped up by Stan's notes, which escalate the anxiety as you try to focus on composing music.”
- “The piano mechanics—while central to the gameplay—seem to be a challenge for many players, especially those who haven’t recently played or read music.”
gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
The gameplay combines psychological horror with a creative deadline, showcasing a unique concept that has potential but is hindered by challenging piano mechanics that may alienate players unfamiliar with music. Many reviewers feel the game resembles a "proof of concept" rather than a polished product, indicating a need for smoother mechanics and clearer controls to enhance engagement and maintain the intended tense atmosphere.
- “The game could be a lot more engaging if the piano mechanics were smoother and the controls were clearer, allowing players to focus on the tense atmosphere without frustration.”
- “The game’s unique concept—a blend of psychological horror with the pressure of meeting a creative deadline—has some potential, but it struggles with certain gameplay elements.”
- “The piano mechanics—while central to the gameplay—seem to be a challenge for many players, especially those who haven’t recently played or read music.”
- “The game is, as some have said, more of a 'proof of concept' than a finished product, and while it shows promise, it still needs significant polishing in terms of mechanics and pacing.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is marked by a creepy tension, heightened by Stan's notes that contribute to a sense of anxiety while composing music. However, the fast-paced events and technical glitches can detract from the immersive experience, suggesting that smoother controls and mechanics could enhance player engagement with the spooky environment.
- “The creepy atmosphere is ramped up by Stan's notes, which escalate the anxiety as you try to focus on composing music.”
- “The quick pace of events may also prevent players from fully investing in the spooky atmosphere, and some players have experienced glitches, such as getting stuck or moving through walls.”
- “The game could be a lot more engaging if the piano mechanics were smoother and the controls were clearer, allowing players to focus on the tense atmosphere without frustration.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The story of "Stan" revolves around a piano player who faces a looming deadline from a record label while being trapped in his home, where he is menaced by an unknown entity determined to break in. This tension between artistic pressure and external threat creates a gripping narrative.
- “Stan is a story about a piano player artist who is in his home when he receives a call, seemingly from a record label with a deadline. However, someone or something is outside, very determined to get in.”
- “Stan is a story about a piano player artist who is at home when he receives a call, seemingly from a record label with a deadline. However, someone or something is outside, very determined to get in.”
- “The plot is confusing and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
- “The story feels disjointed and fails to deliver a satisfying narrative arc.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players have reported stability issues, including glitches that cause characters to get stuck or move through walls, which can detract from the immersive experience. Additionally, the fast-paced nature of the game may hinder players' ability to engage with its spooky atmosphere.
- “The quick pace of events may also prevent players from fully investing in the spooky atmosphere, and some players have experienced glitches, such as getting stuck or moving through walls.”